What Happened to Antoine Griezmann?
Antoine Griezmann, the French football superstar, recently transitioned from a decorated career in European football to Major League Soccer. After becoming Atlético Madrid's all-time leading scorer and extending his contract until 2027, he made a significant move to Orlando City SC, where he debuted and scored on July 23, 2026. He also retired from international football with France in September 2024.
Quick Answer
Antoine Griezmann is currently playing as a forward and attacking midfielder for Major League Soccer club Orlando City SC, having officially joined in July 2026. He made a scoring debut for Orlando City on July 23, 2026, against the San Jose Earthquakes. Prior to this, he was Atlético Madrid's all-time leading scorer and retired from the French national team in September 2024 after a decade-long international career.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline9 events
Becomes Atlético Madrid's All-Time Leading Scorer
Antoine Griezmann scored against Real Madrid in the Supercopa de España, making him Atlético Madrid's all-time leading scorer.
Retires from France National Team
Griezmann announced his retirement from international football after Euro 2024, concluding a 10-year career with 137 caps and 44 goals.
100th Champions League Match Goal
He scored a goal in his 100th UEFA Champions League match during a 6-0 away victory over Sparta Prague.
Most La Liga Appearances by a Foreign Player
Griezmann overtook Lionel Messi to become the foreign player with the most La Liga appearances, making his 521st in a match against Espanyol.
Extends Contract with Atlético Madrid
Antoine Griezmann signed a contract extension with Atlético Madrid until June 30, 2027.
Orlando City SC Announces Signing
Orlando City SC officially announced the signing of Antoine Griezmann from Atlético Madrid, with the contract beginning in July 2026.
Introduced as Orlando City Player
Griezmann was officially introduced as an Orlando City player in front of supporters and team officials.
Officially Joins Orlando City SC
Antoine Griezmann officially joined Orlando City SC, following the conclusion of the 2025–26 season with Atlético Madrid.
Scores in MLS Debut for Orlando City
Antoine Griezmann scored in his MLS debut for Orlando City SC, contributing to a 4-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Antoine Griezmann, born on March 21, 1991, has had a storied career marked by versatility, goal-scoring prowess, and significant playmaking ability. After rising through the ranks at Real Sociedad and establishing himself as a global star during his two stints with Atlético Madrid, Griezmann embarked on a new chapter in Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2026.
His second spell at Atlético Madrid, which began with a loan in 2021 and became permanent in 2022, saw him reclaim his influential role. He continued to break records, notably becoming Atlético's all-time leading scorer on January 10, 2024, surpassing club legend Luis Aragonés. Later that year, on November 26, 2024, he marked his 100th Champions League appearance with a goal. His consistency in La Liga also saw him overtake Lionel Messi as the foreign player with the most appearances in the league on March 29, 2025. Despite extending his contract with Atlético until June 30, 2027, in June 2025, a new opportunity arose.
A significant turning point in his career came with the announcement on March 24, 2026, that Griezmann would be joining MLS club Orlando City SC. This move, effective in July 2026, saw him sign as a Designated Player on a contract extending through the 2027-28 season, with an option for an additional year. The transfer brought an end to his 17-year career in La Liga, where he played for Real Sociedad, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid. His final season with Atlético Madrid (2025-2026) saw him contribute 7 goals and 4 assists in 34 La Liga matches, and a total of 13 goals and 4 assists across all competitions.
On the international front, Griezmann made the surprising decision to retire from the French national team on September 30, 2024, following Euro 2024. This concluded a remarkable decade with Les Bleus, during which he earned 137 caps, scored 44 goals, and played a pivotal role in their 2018 FIFA World Cup victory and 2022 World Cup runner-up finish. His retirement meant he would not be participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
As of July 23, 2026, Griezmann has officially begun his MLS career with Orlando City. He was introduced as an Orlando City player on July 7, 2026. His highly anticipated debut occurred on July 23, 2026, where he scored a goal in Orlando City's 4-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes, marking a successful start to his new chapter in American soccer.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Antoine Griezmann made different choices?